Dispensing Cover for Moist Wipe Container

ABSTRACT

A dispensing cover for a container for moist towlettes, where the container has an open end and is constructed and arranged to hold a bulk supply of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations. The dispensing cover has a lower portion that is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the open top of the container. The power portion defines a large opening. There are one or more dispensing structures projecting into the opening and having an anchored proximal end and a free distal end that is in the central opening to define a tapered slot that has a relatively wide opening and narrows to a pinch point wherein a towlette can be captured. There is a cap that is coupled to the lower portion and is adapted to be engaged with the lower portion to form a seal that inhibits loss of moisture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/674,632 filed on Jul. 23, 2012.

FIELD

This application relates to a moist towlette dispenser.

BACKGROUND

Moist towlettes (also called “wipes”) are often supplied as rolls of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations. The towlettes are usually made from a non-woven fiber material that is moistened with a substance to be used or applied. Examples include moist baby wipes and moist surface disinfecting wipes. Canisters that contain a roll of towlettes need to have a cover that seals the container sufficiently such that the towlettes do not dry out too quickly and also allows for dispensing of one or more towlettes at a time. Most such covers include a relatively complex, difficult-to-use dispenser that covers most of the opening of the container, which makes it difficult for the user to reach in and grasp the first towlette. The user then has to thread the towlette through a narrow dispenser opening, which increases the difficulty of using the dispenser.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to a dispensing cover for a container or canister that contains moist towlettes or wipes that are adapted to be dispensed one or more at a time. The disclosed innovation comprises a dispensing cover for a container for moist towlettes, where the container has an open end and is constructed and arranged to hold a bulk supply of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations. The dispensing cover has a lower portion that is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the top of an open-top container and that defines a large opening, one or more dispensing structures projecting into the opening and having an anchored proximal end and a free distal end that is in the central opening to define a tapered slot that has a relatively wide opening and narrows to a pinch point wherein a towlette can be captured, and an integral cap that is coupled to the lower portion by a hinge (e.g., a living hinge) or by a different means, where the cap is adapted to be engaged with the lower portion to form a seal that inhibits loss of moisture.

Aspects of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. The opening may be generally circular and the dispensing structures may be non-radial. The dispensing structures may be curved. There may be two or more dispensing structures. At least one dispensing structure may curve in a clockwise direction and at least one dispensing structure may curve in a counterclockwise direction when looked at from above. The dispensing structures may curve in the same direction as one another. The periphery of the opening may be generally circular and a dispensing structure may have a curved edge that faces the periphery, to create a slot that is defined by two curved edges. The inner periphery of a dispensing structure may be curved, and the distal end of a dispensing structure may overly the curved inner periphery of another dispensing structure so as to create a slot between the two. The cover may comprise two dispensing structures, each dispensing structure having an edge that faces an edge of another dispensing structure, where the edges diverge from one another from the proximal ends toward the distal ends to define a slot that narrows from its entrance that is open to the opening toward the periphery of the opening. The edges of the dispensing structures may be straight. The edges may be serrated. The slot may lie along a curved longitudinal axis.

The innovation also includes a dispensing cover for a container for moist towlettes, where the container has an open end and is constructed and arranged to hold a bulk supply of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations, the dispensing cover comprising a lower portion that is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the top of an open-top container and that defines a large generally circular opening with a generally circular periphery, two curved, non-radial dispensing structures projecting into the opening and each having an anchored proximal end and a free distal end that is in the central opening, where the dispensing structures each have a curved edge that faces but is spaced from the periphery to define a tapered slot that has a relatively wide opening, is defined by two curved edges, and narrows to a pinch point wherein a towlette can be captured, and an integral cap that is coupled to the lower portion by a hinge and is adapted to be engaged with the lower portion to form a seal that inhibits loss of moisture. The cover may have a front and a rear, where the hinge is in the rear, and wherein the openings of the slots face the rear and the pinch points are located closer to the front than are the openings, such that a dispensing action comprises pulling a towlette toward the front of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1F are top, bottom, perspective, front, rear and side views, respectively, of a dispensing cover for a container or canister that contains moist towlettes or wipes that are adapted to be dispensed one or more at a time.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a first wipe being grasped and pulled into a dispensing pinch point of the dispensing cover of FIG. 1, so that the wipe can be dispensed.

FIGS. 3A-3C are top, bottom and perspective views of a dispensing cover.

FIG. 4 shows the cover of FIG. 3 in use.

FIGS. 5A-5C are top, bottom and perspective views of a dispensing cover.

FIG. 6 shows the cover of FIG. 5 in use.

FIGS. 7A-7C are top, bottom and perspective views of a dispensing cover.

FIG. 8 shows the cover of FIG. 7 in use.

FIGS. 9A-9C are top, bottom and perspective views of a dispensing cover.

FIG. 10 shows the cover of FIG. 9 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

The dispenser cover disclosed herein defines one or more “pinch points” against which a towlette (wipe) can be pulled to capture and grip the wipe sufficiently such that one or more of them can be torn off from the roll at the perforations. This disclosure illustrates several different designs for such a cover. Each such design defines one or more pinch points. The designs also define a large opening through which the user can reach to grasp the first towlette and pull it up out of the canister into a dispensing location. The large opening prevents the user from having to thread the first towlette up through a small orifice that is often used in container closures.

Dispensing cover 10, FIGS. 1 and 2, is a unitary molded structure that defines lower generally annular portion 12 and snap-on cap 14 that are connected together by living hinge 15; connections other than hinges, and hinges other than living hinges, are included in the disclosed innovation. Portion 12 carries structure that allows it to be coupled to the open top of a container C that contains a roll T of perforated wipes. This structure is known in the art and can comprise, for example, threads that mate with threads proximate the top lip of the container, or a ridge or another structure that allows the cover to be snapped onto the top of the container. Cap 14 carries sealing flange 16 that mates against the inside of inner rim 13 of lower portion 12. Rim 13 is typically adjacent to the outermost extent or periphery of pass-through opening 28. Structure 20 extends inwardly from periphery 29 into opening 28 and defines one or more dispensing structures that project inwardly in a non-radial fashion to create one or more tapered slots that each define or create a pinch point. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, structure 20 defines curved dispensing structures 22 and 24 that create tapered slots 23 and 25 between their outer edges 22 a and 24 a, respectively, and the adjoining portion of periphery 29, to define pinch points 23 a and 25 a.

Open area 28 is typically but not necessarily bounded by a circular periphery. The periphery could take another shape, which may or may not correspond to the shape of the canister or container on which it is mounted. Area 28 makes up most of the area within the periphery. In one non-limiting but illustrative example the circular area within the periphery is filled in only about 20% by structure 20, meaning it is about 80% open and thus leaves plenty of room for the user to reach in and grasp a wipe and pull it through a pinch point; there is no need to reach just a couple of fingers in and carefully thread the lead wipe through a narrow orifice as is the case in many prior art dispensing covers. Another advantage of the large opening 28 and the one or more pinch points is that more than one towlette can be pulled out of the container as a group, rather than the dispensing action always being taken one towlette at a time.

The slots are bounded by two curved walls that typically follow smooth plane curves. The walls may or may not have the same radius of curvature. The curved walls typically but not necessarily have different centers of curvature. The radii and centers, and the shapes and lengths of the dispensing structures, can be designed to create slots with different dimensions and usages. The edges of the dispensing structures that define a side of a slot can be curved or straight. The curves can be smooth and regular but need not be as an edge could, for example, follow a more complex curve with more than one osculating circle that defines the curve. A design can be developed to allow for ease of use and proper grip of a towlette during a dispensing action. The cover can have one, two or more dispensing structures. There can be one or more slots and pinch points.

Optional embossed arrows 26 and 27, which are typically located along an edge of a slot, convey to the user the direction in which the towlette is pulled into the slot such that it lodges against the pinch point to create sufficient friction and grip that one or more towlettes can be ripped off of the roll. The action of grasping a towlette and pulling it out through the slot is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. An example of a towlette being pulled up and lodged into the pinch point so that it can be torn is shown in FIG. 2B, for example.

Lower portion 12 carries in a standard fashion on its inside face female threads that mate with corresponding male threads at the top of container C. Lid 14 defines front protecting area 18 that overlies front depression 30 in portion 12 to provide a slight overhang that allows the user to grasp portion 14 and remove it from portion 12 to expose opening 28 to allow the dispensing of a towlette.

Dispensing cover 40, FIGS. 3 and 4, has curved inwardly projecting dispensing structures 42 and 44 that project directly from the periphery of the opening rather than projecting from a secondary portion 20 that itself projects from the periphery. These dispensing structures define pinch points 43 and 45. Dispensing structure 44 illustrates the dispensing structure proximal end 46 that is anchored to the periphery of the opening and the dispensing structure free distal end 47 that is located in opening 49.

Closure 50, FIGS. 5 and 6, defines pinch points 53, 55 and 57 via dispensing structures 52, 54 and 56 that curve inwardly in a counter clockwise direction that differs from the clockwise curvature direction of both dispensing structures in FIG. 3. Also, each slot is created between the edges of two dispensing structures rather than between a dispensing structure and the periphery of the opening as in the first two examples.

The cover can be designed with one or more inwardly-projecting dispensing structures to create one or more slots that each end in a pinch point. Further, the slots that define the pinch points can lie along curved or straight longitudinal axes that are generally along a clockwise direction that is most convenient for a right handed user that would grasp the towlette with his or her right hand, and/or a counter-clockwise direction that would be more convenient for a left-handed user.

Dispensing closure 60, FIGS. 7 and 8, comprises generally triangular portions or dispensing structures 62 and 63 with straight edges 62 a and 63 a that meet to define a single dispensing slot with pinch point 64. The optional serrations on the inner surfaces that define the slot (serration 65 labeled) can help with grip of a towlette and also give a visual clue of a tearing action to help the user to understand the purpose of the slot and pinch point.

Dispensing closure 70, FIGS. 9 and 10, includes two projecting dispensing structures such as shown in earlier examples. Curved dispensing structures 72 and 74 define one side of slots/pinch points 73 and 75. The dispensing direction in this case is towards the back of the closure rather than being directed toward the front of the closure as in embodiment 10, FIG. 1. Also, the slots run in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions, making this convenient to use for both right and left-handed people.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing cover for a container for moist towlettes, where the container has an open end and is constructed and arranged to hold a bulk supply of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations, the dispensing cover comprising: a lower portion that is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the open end of the container, where the lower portion defines a large opening; one or more dispensing structures projecting into the opening and having an anchored proximal end and a free distal end that is in the central opening, to define a tapered slot that has a relatively wide opening and narrows to a pinch point wherein a towlette can be captured; and a cap that is coupled to the lower portion and is adapted to be engaged with the lower portion to form a seal that inhibits loss of moisture.
 2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the opening is generally circular and the dispensing structures are non-radial.
 3. The cover of claim 2 in which the dispensing structures are curved.
 4. The cover of claim 3 comprising two or more dispensing structures.
 5. The cover of claim 4 in which at least one dispensing structure curves in a clockwise direction and at least one dispensing structure curves in a counterclockwise direction when looked at from above.
 6. The cover of claim 4 in which the dispensing structures curve in the same direction as one another.
 7. The cover of claim 1 wherein the periphery of the opening is generally circular and a dispensing structure has a curved edge that faces the periphery, to create a slot that is defined by two curved edges.
 8. The cover of claim 1 wherein the inner periphery of a dispensing structure is curved, and the distal end of a dispensing structure overlies the curved inner periphery of another dispensing structure so as to create a slot between the two.
 9. The cover of claim 1 comprising two dispensing structures, each dispensing structure having an edge that faces an edge of another dispensing structure, where the edges diverge from one another from the proximal ends toward the distal ends to define a slot that narrows from its entrance that is open to the opening toward the periphery of the opening.
 10. The cover of claim 9 wherein the edges of the dispensing structures are straight.
 11. The cover of claim 10 wherein the edges are serrated.
 12. The cover of claim 9 wherein the slot lies along a slot longitudinal axis, where the axis is curved.
 13. A dispensing cover for a container for moist towlettes, where the container has an open end and is constructed and arranged to hold a bulk supply of interconnected towlettes that are separable from each other by tearing along perforations, the dispensing cover comprising: a lower portion that is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the open top of the container, and that defines a large generally circular opening with a generally circular periphery; two curved, non-radial dispensing structures projecting into the opening and each having an anchored proximal end and a free distal end that is in the central opening, where the dispensing structures each have an edge that faces but is spaced from the periphery to define a tapered slot that has a relatively wide opening, is defined by two curved edges, and narrows to a pinch point wherein a towlette can be captured; and an integral cap that is coupled to the lower portion and is adapted to be engaged with the lower portion to form a seal that inhibits loss of moisture.
 14. The cover of claim 13 wherein the cover has a front and a rear, where the coupling is accomplished by a living hinge that is in the rear, and wherein the openings of the slots face the rear and the pinch points are located closer to the front than are the openings, such that a dispensing action comprises pulling a towlette toward the front of the container. 